The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-06-15
Sammy Hicks Prayer.

Sammy Hicks, the good, eccentric
English blacksmith, was in the habit
of praying for persons by name, with
what some would regard as undue ia
miliarity. The late "Billy Dawson" "
who knew him personally, mentioned
in my hearing, for example, that stop
ping once at the house Of, in
Lancashire, Sammy prayed thus at
family worship for the cook, who was
exceedingly ugly: 20, Lord, convert
Betty; She'll look five-pound
better!" and thus for the brother-in-
law of his host: my Lord, bless
bless-Thou knowest-I forgot his
name-the big fat man that lives at
top o. the hillw
Serg't R. an English Meth0'
dist, when in Ireland, related the fol-
lowing. give it as it was told to me.
Sammy and some brethren visited
certain village for the purpose OF es-
tablishing prayer-meeting. They Sc,
cured room, but it proved too small
for the purpose. One day it was pro-
posed that Sammy should go to a no
bleman in the neighborhood to solicit
aid toward the erection of chapel.
Consenting to the proposal of his
brethren, on condition that they would
90 to their knees and continue in pray
er until his return, the simple-mlnd-
ed, jealous man went to seek an inter-
view with the nobleman. With great
difficulty Sammy got ushered into his
presence when this scene occurred:
Sammy:-"My lord, the people in
are very wicked and if they
don't get a chapel, they'll 60 to hell
and be damned. Now, I'm to ask
your lordship to give us subscription
to build chapel"
Nobleman, cycling his strange visi-
tor:-"Oh, you may go about your
business! I have no money for you"
Sammy:-"But, my lord, you have
plenty of money, if you would like to
give it. And you know, my lord, they
are praying for my success yonder."
Nobleman :-"I'll give you no mon
ey." =,
Sammy:-"Well, my lord, you won't
hinder me from praying with you?"
Nobleman ~ don't want your
prayers" =,
Sammy:-"O, my lord, it wouldn't
do to part without prayers"
So saying, Sammy fell on his knees,
his lordship sitting still In his chair,
not little amused by this time.
Sammy:-"O Lord, Thou knowest
the people in -- are very. wicked,
and if we don't get chapel they'll all
go to hell and be damned. Thou know
est that his lordship here has plenty of
money if he likes to give it. Now,
Lord, give his heart touch, and let
him give US subscription to build a
chapel"
Nobleman Ibid ever hear such
prayers! Well, there's pound for
you. Now 60 about your business"
Sammy 10. Lord, he has got a
touch. Now give him another touch,
for Thou knowest that he could as cas-
ily give us ten pounds as one pound" !"
Nobleman :-"Well, there are five
pounds for you. Will that do?'
Sammy :-"Bless the Lord, his heart
is growing soft. Now, Lord, touch
him again, and let him increase the
subscription"
Nobleman :-"Well, there are ten
pounds for you. Now are you salts
fled ?"
Sammy :-"Glory be to God! ten
pounds will go a great way to build
the walls; but, Lord, what will we do
for the roof? Thou knowest his lord
ship here has plenty of timber, on the
estate, growing and dry. Now touch
him again, and let him give US the
timber for the roof"
This petition also was granted, and
Sammy "went on his way rejoicing"
o, that the Lord would touch the
hearts of all mobiles and all that are
not noblemen in the Church, and then
might we have to say with Sammy:
'Bless the Lord, these hearts are
growing soft. Now, Lord, touch them
again. ard let them increase their SUBJ
seription."
Then would the Gospel of our Lord
Jesus Christ be supported, and the
banner of holiness would fiutter in the
breeze of Joy, to the utter extinction of
all fairs, festivals, grab-bags, soap-bub-
bles and theatricals. Then, like Sam
my, to the glory of God, we would go
on our way rejoicing.